Swipe-based delete confirmation for touch sensitive devices

ABSTRACT

Techniques are disclosed for providing a swipe-based delete confirmation mode in electronic touch sensitive devices. The user can engage the delete confirmation mode by performing a delete command, which causes the device to display a delete confirmation swipe gesture prompt. The delete confirmation prompt may be included within a delete confirmation graphic or a delete confirmation pop-up window. By performing the delete confirmation swipe gesture on the touch sensitive surface, the user may confirm the delete command. By not properly performing the delete confirmation gesture, closing a delete confirmation pop-up window, tapping an area of the screen not associated with the delete confirmation prompt, or otherwise not performing the delete confirmation swipe gesture, the device may cause the delete function to be abandoned.

FIELD OF THE DISCLOSURE

This disclosure relates to electronic display devices, and moreparticularly, to user interface (UI) techniques for interacting withtouch screen devices.

BACKGROUND

Electronic display devices such as tablets, eReaders, mobile phones,smart phones, personal digital assistants (PDAs), and other such touchscreen electronic display devices are commonly used for displayingconsumable content. The content may be, for example, an eBook, an onlinearticle or blog, images, a movie or video, a map, just to name a fewtypes. Such display devices are also useful for displaying a userinterface that allows a user to interact with an application running onthe device. The user interface may include, for example, one or moretouch screen controls and/or one or more displayed labels thatcorrespond to nearby hardware buttons. The touch screen display may bebacklit or not, and may be implemented for instance with an LED screenor an electrophoretic display. Such devices may also include other touchsensitive surfaces, such as a track pad (e.g., capacitive or resistivetouch sensor) or touch sensitive housing (e.g., acoustic sensor).

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIGS. 1 a-b illustrate an example electronic touch screen device havinga swipe-based delete confirmation mode configured in accordance with anembodiment of the present invention.

FIGS. 1 c-d illustrate example configuration screen shots of the userinterface of the electronic touch screen device shown in FIGS. 1 a-b,configured in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2a illustrates a block diagram of an electronic touch screen deviceconfigured in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2b illustrates a block diagram of a communication system includingthe electronic touch screen device of FIG. 2a , configured in accordancewith an embodiment of the present invention.

FIGS. 3a-c illustrate an example swipe-based delete confirmation mode ofan electronic touch screen device, in accordance with an embodiment ofthe present invention.

FIGS. 4a-d illustrate an example swipe-based delete confirmation mode ofan electronic touch screen device, in accordance with another embodimentof the present invention.

FIGS. 5a-b illustrate an example swipe-based delete confirmation mode ofan electronic touch screen device, in accordance with another embodimentof the present invention.

FIGS. 6a-c illustrate an example swipe-based delete confirmation mode ofan electronic touch screen device, in accordance with another embodimentof the present invention.

FIG. 7 illustrates a method for providing a swipe-based deleteconfirmation mode in an electronic touch screen device, in accordancewith an embodiment of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Techniques are disclosed for providing a swipe-based delete confirmationmode in electronic touch sensitive devices. The user can engage thedelete confirmation mode by performing a delete command, which may causethe device to display a delete confirmation swipe gesture prompt. Thedelete confirmation prompt may be included, for example, within a deleteconfirmation graphic or a delete confirmation pop-up window. In somesuch embodiments, the delete confirmation graphic or pop-up window mayinclude a delete confirmation path that visually shows where the usermust perform the delete confirmation swipe gesture. In some such cases,this delete confirmation path may also include a virtual UI push-buttonat the end of the path. By performing the delete confirmation swipegesture on the touch sensitive surface, the user may confirm the deletecommand. In some embodiments, if the user does not properly trace thedelete confirmation swipe path, closes a delete confirmation pop-upwindow, taps an area of the screen not associated with the deleteconfirmation prompt, or otherwise fails to perform the deleteconfirmation swipe gesture, the device may cause the delete function tobe abandoned. In some embodiments, an animation and/or sound furtherconfirms the deletion process, such as a crumpling paper animation or aswooshing sound after the swipe gesture is performed.

General Overview

As previously explained, electronic display devices such as tablets,eReaders, and smart phones are commonly used for displaying userinterfaces and consumable content. The user of such devices cantypically consume the displayed content with relative ease. In someinstances, the user may wish to delete a portion of the given content ordelete one or more files or items on the device. While available contentdeleting techniques are commonly provided with touch screen devices forsuch purposes and sometimes include delete confirmation, a swipe-baseddelete confirmation mode as described herein may provide a moreintuitive or otherwise positive user experience.

Thus, and in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention,swipe based delete confirmation techniques are disclosed for use inelectronic touch screen devices. The content being deleted may include,for example, text, graphics, images, folders/files, embedded audioand/or video files, and/or any other consumable content. Once content isselected, any number of suitable UI control features (e.g.,delete/copy/cut/paste/format UI press-buttons) can be provided to theuser, depending on the given context and application in which the useris operating, as well as capabilities of the device. Such example UIcontrol features can be displayed automatically to the user once thecontent is selected, in accordance with some embodiments. Given theglobal nature and/or uniqueness of the engagement mechanism, inaccordance with some embodiments, the delete confirmation mode can besimilarly invoked within multiple diverse applications (e.g., eBook,browser, picture viewer, file manager, etc.) and without conflictingwith other global gestures that might also be used by the device'soperating system.

The user can engage the delete confirmation mode by selecting a deletecommand using an options menu, pressing a delete virtual push-button ona touch screen, pressing a delete button of a keyboard that is connectedto the electronic device, or any other suitable user input means. Oncethe delete command has been performed, the delete confirmation mode mayprompt the user to perform a delete confirmation swipe gesture. As usedherein, a swipe gesture may include a sweeping or dragging gestureacross at least a portion of the touch sensitive surface; whetherdirectly contacting that surface or hovering over that surface (e.g.,within a few centimeters). In some embodiments, the swipe gesture may beperformed at a constant speed in one single direction, while in otherembodiments the swipe gesture may follow a curved path. The gestures canbe performed, for example, with the tip of a finger or a stylus, or anyother suitable implement capable of providing a detectable swipegesture. In some embodiments, the delete command and the deleteconfirmation mode may be combined into one continuous gesture. In onesuch example embodiment, a delete confirmation graphic may include avirtual delete UI push-button, and the user may press the delete UIpush-button and immediately perform the delete confirmation swipegesture to confirm the delete command. In other embodiments, a virtualor physical delete UI push-button may be separate from any deleteconfirmation gesture prompt. Once the user is prompted to perform thedelete confirmation swipe gesture, the user may perform the swipegesture and confirm the delete function, or abandon the delete functionby not confirming the gesture.

In some embodiments, the user may abandon the delete function by, forexample, closing a delete confirmation pop-up window, tapping an area ofthe screen away from a delete confirmation graphic, waiting a specifiedperiod of time (e.g., five seconds) without performing the deleteconfirmation gesture, or retracing a delete confirmation swipe gesturethat is at least partially performed. In some embodiments, the items tobe deleted may diminish in appearance gradually as the deleteconfirmation swipe gesture is being performed, and gradually reappear ifthe user retraces an at least partially completed delete confirmationgesture.

Architecture

FIGS. 1 a-b illustrate an example electronic touch sensitive devicehaving a delete confirmation mode configured in accordance with anembodiment of the present invention. As can be seen, in this exampleembodiment, the touch sensitive surface is a touch screen display. Thedevice could be, for example, a tablet such as the NOOK® tablet oreReader by Barnes & Noble. In a more general sense, the device may beany electronic device having a touch sensitive user interface fordetecting direct touch or otherwise sufficiently proximate contact, andcapability for displaying content to a user, such as a mobile phone ormobile computing device such as a laptop, a desktop computing system, atelevision, a smart display screen, or any other device having a touchsensitive display or a non-sensitive display screen that can be used inconjunction with a touch sensitive surface. As will be appreciated, theclaimed invention is not intended to be limited to any specific kind ortype of electronic device.

As can be seen with this example configuration, the device comprises ahousing that includes a number of hardware features such as a powerbutton, control features, and a press-button (sometimes called a homebutton herein). A user interface is also provided, which in this exampleembodiment includes a quick navigation menu having six main categoriesto choose from (Home, Library, Shop, Search, Light, and Settings) and astatus bar that includes a number of icons (a night-light icon, awireless network icon, and a book icon), a battery indicator, and aclock. Other embodiments may have fewer or additional such UI features,or different UI features altogether, depending on the target applicationof the device. Any such general UI controls and features can beimplemented using any suitable conventional or custom technology, aswill be appreciated.

The hardware control features provided on the device housing in thisexample embodiment are configured as elongated press-bars and can beused, for example, to page forward (using the top press-bar) or to pagebackward (using the bottom press-bar), such as might be useful in aneReader application. The power button can be used to turn the device onand off, and may be used in conjunction with a touch-based UI controlfeature that allows the user to confirm a given power transition actionrequest (e.g., such as a slide bar or tap point graphic to turn poweroff). Numerous variations will be apparent, and the claimed invention isnot intended to be limited to any particular set of hardware buttons orUI features, or device form factor.

In this example configuration, the home button is a physicalpress-button that can be used as follows: when the device is awake andin use, pressing the button will display the quick navigation menu,which is a toolbar that provides quick access to various features of thedevice. The home button may also be configured to cease an activefunction that is currently executing on the device (such as anunconfirmed delete function), or close a configuration sub-menu that iscurrently open. The button may further control other functionality if,for example, the user presses and holds the home button. For instance,an example such push-and-hold function could engage a power conservationroutine where the device is put to sleep or an otherwise lower powerconsumption mode. So, a user could grab the device by the button, pressand keep holding as the device is stowed into a bag or purse. Thus, onephysical gesture may safely put the device to sleep. In such an exampleembodiment, the home button may be associated with and control differentand unrelated actions: 1) show the quick navigation menu; 2) exit aconfiguration sub-menu; and 3) put the device to sleep. As can befurther seen, the status bar may also include a book icon (upper leftcorner). In some cases, selecting the book icon may providebibliographic information on the content or provide the main menu ortable of contents for the book, movie, playlist, or other content.

In one particular embodiment, a delete confirmation mode configurationsub-menu, such as the one shown in FIG. 1d , may be accessed byselecting the Settings option in the quick navigation menu, which causesthe device to display the general sub-menu shown in FIG. 1 c. From thisgeneral sub-menu, the user can select any one of a number of options,including one designated Screen/UI in this specific example case.Selecting this sub-menu item may cause the configuration sub-menu ofFIG. 1 d to be displayed, in accordance with an embodiment. In otherexample embodiments, selecting the Screen/UI option may present the userwith a number of additional sub-options, one of which may include aso-called “delete confirmation mode” option, which may then be selectedby the user so as to cause the delete confirmation mode configurationsub-menu of FIG. 1d to be displayed. Any number of such menu schemes andnested hierarchies can be used, as will be appreciated in light of thisdisclosure. In other embodiments, the delete confirmation function ishard-coded such that no configuration sub-menus are needed or otherwiseprovided (e.g., performing a swipe gesture to confirm a delete commandas described herein, with no user configuration needed). The degree ofhard-coding versus user-configurability can vary from one embodiment tothe next, and the claimed invention is not intended to be limited to anyparticular configuration scheme of any kind, as will be appreciated.

As will be appreciated, the various UI control features and sub-menusdisplayed to the user are implemented as touch screen controls in thisexample embodiment. Such UI screen controls can be programmed orotherwise configured using any number of conventional or customtechnologies. In general, the touch screen display translates a touch(direct or hovering, by a user's hand, a stylus, or any other suitableimplement) in a given location into an electrical signal which is thenreceived and processed by the device's underlying operating system (OS)and circuitry (processor, etc.). In some instances, note that the userneed not actually physically touch the touch sensitive device to performan action. For example, the touch screen display may be configured todetect input based on a finger or stylus hovering over the touchsensitive surface (e.g., within 3 inches of the touch screen).Additional example details of the underlying OS and circuitry inaccordance with some embodiments will be discussed in turn withreference to FIG. 2 a.

The touch sensitive surface (or touch sensitive display, in this examplecase) can be any surface that is configured with touch detectingtechnologies, whether capacitive, resistive, acoustic, active-stylus,and/or other input detecting technology, including direct contact and/orproximate contact. In some embodiments, the screen display can belayered above input sensors, such as a capacitive sensor grid forpassive touch-based input, such as with a finger or passive styluscontact in the case of a so-called in-plane switching (IPS) panel, or anelectro-magnetic resonance (EMR) sensor grid for sensing a resonantcircuit of a stylus. In some embodiments, the touch sensitive displaycan be configured with a purely capacitive sensor, while in otherembodiments the touch screen display may be configured to provide ahybrid mode that allows for both capacitive input and EMR input, forexample. In still other embodiments, the touch sensitive surface isconfigured with only an active stylus sensor. Numerous touch screendisplay configurations can be implemented using any number of known orproprietary screen based input detecting technologies. In any suchembodiments, a touch sensitive controller may be configured toselectively scan the touch sensitive surface and/or selectively reportuser inputs detected directly on or otherwise sufficiently proximate to(e.g., within a few centimeters, or otherwise sufficiently close so asto allow detection) the detection surface (or touch sensitive display,in this example case).

As previously explained, and with further reference to FIGS. 1 c and 1d, once the Settings sub-menu is displayed (FIG. 1c ), the user can thenselect the Screen/UI option. In response to such a selection, the deleteconfirmation mode configuration sub-menu shown in FIG. 1 d can beprovided to the user. The user can configure a number of functions withrespect to the delete confirmation mode, in this example embodiment. Forinstance, in this example case, the configuration sub-menu includes a UIcheck box that when checked or otherwise selected by the user,effectively enables the delete confirmation mode (shown in the enabledstate); unchecking the box disables the mode. Other embodiments may havethe delete confirmation mode always enabled, or enabled by a physicalswitch or button located on the device, for example. As previouslyexplained, the delete confirmation mode may be implemented using adelete confirmation graphic, or a delete confirmation pop-up window. Inthis particular example, the user may configure how the deleteconfirmation mode may be implemented by selecting a UI check boxassociated with either a confirmation graphic or a confirmation pop-upwindow. In this particular embodiment, the user has selected the deleteconfirmation pop-up window option.

With further reference to the example embodiment of FIG. 1 d, the userhas the option to have the delete confirmation mode activated only whena delete command is received through the touch sensitive display, asopposed to a delete command received from a wireless keyboard, forexample. In this particular example, this check box is not selected, andtherefore all delete commands will activate the delete confirmationmode. In some embodiments the user may specify a certain time period inwhich the delete confirmation gesture must be performed before thedelete command is abandoned. In this particular example, the user hasselected a time limit of five seconds, such that if the delete commandis not confirmed after five seconds, the delete command is abandoned orotherwise times out.

In some example embodiments, the user may specify a number ofapplications in which the delete confirmation mode can be invoked. Sucha configuration feature may be helpful, for instance, in a tablet orlaptop or other multifunction computing device that can executedifferent applications (as opposed to a device that is more or lessdedicated to a particular application). In such an example, theavailable applications may be provided along with a corresponding checkbox, pull-down menu, or some other suitable UI feature. Exampleapplications may include an eBook application, a video playerapplication, a browser application, a file manager application, a wordprocessor application, a document viewer application, which are just afew examples. Any number of applications or device functions may benefitfrom a delete confirmation mode as provided herein, whetheruser-configurable or not, and the claimed invention is not intended tobe limited to any particular application or set of applications. In someembodiments, the delete confirmation mode may be enabled on acontent-specific level (e.g., only for deleting text), anapplication-specific level (e.g., only when running a file browsingapplication), or on a global level wherein a user must confirm a deletecommand regardless of the application running or type of content beingdeleted.

As can be further seen, a back button arrow UI control feature may beprovisioned on the screen for any of the menus provided, so that theuser can go back to the previous menu, if so desired. Note thatconfiguration settings provided by the user can be saved automatically(e.g., user input is saved as selections are made or otherwiseprovided). Alternatively, a save button or other such UI feature can beprovisioned, which the user can engage as desired. The configurationsub-menu shown in FIG. 1 d is presented merely as an example of how adelete confirmation mode may be configured by the user, and numerousother configurable or hard-codable aspects will be apparent in light ofthis disclosure. Note that in some embodiments the delete confirmationmode may be visually and/or aurally demonstrated or otherwise confirmedto the user via animations or sound effects. Such animations and soundeffects provide clarity to the function being performed or otherwiseenhance the user experience. In some embodiments, the animations and/orsound effects may be user-configurable, while in other embodiments theyare hard-coded.

FIG. 2a illustrates a block diagram of an electronic touch screen deviceconfigured in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. Ascan be seen, this example device includes a processor, memory (e.g., RAMand/or ROM for processor workspace and storage), additionalstorage/memory (e.g., for content), a communications module, a touchscreen, and an audio module. A communications bus and interconnect isalso provided to allow inter-device communication. Other typicalcomponentry and functionality not reflected in the block diagram will beapparent (e.g., battery, co-processor, etc). The touch screen andunderlying circuitry is capable of translating a user's contact (director proximate) with the screen into an electronic signal that can bemanipulated or otherwise used to trigger a specific user interfaceaction, such as those provided herein. The principles provided hereinequally apply to any such touch sensitive devices. For ease ofdescription, examples are provided with touch screen technology.

In this example embodiment, the memory includes a number of modulesstored therein that can be accessed and executed by the processor(and/or a co-processor). The modules include an operating system (OS), auser interface (UI), and a power conservation routine (Power). Themodules can be implemented, for example, in any suitable programminglanguage (e.g., C, C++, objective C, JavaScript, custom or proprietaryinstruction sets, etc), and encoded on a machine readable medium, thatwhen executed by the processor (and/or co-processors), carries out thefunctionality of the device including a UI having a delete confirmationmode as variously described herein. The computer readable medium may be,for example, a hard drive, compact disk, memory stick, server, or anysuitable non-transitory computer/computing device memory that includesexecutable instructions, or a plurality or combination of such memories.Other embodiments can be implemented, for instance, with gate-levellogic or an application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC) or chip setor other such purpose built logic, or a microcontroller havinginput/output capability (e.g., inputs for receiving user inputs andoutputs for directing other components) and a number of embeddedroutines for carrying out the device functionality. In short, thefunctional modules can be implemented in hardware, software, firmware,or a combination thereof.

The processor can be any suitable processor (e.g., 800 MHz TexasInstruments OMAP3621 applications processor), and may include one ormore co-processors or controllers to assist in device control. In thisexample case, the processor receives input from the user, includinginput from or otherwise derived from the power button and the homebutton. The processor can also have a direct connection to a battery sothat it can perform base level tasks even during sleep or low powermodes. The memory (e.g., for processor workspace and executable filestorage) can be any suitable type of memory and size (e.g., 256 or 512Mbytes SDRAM), and in other embodiments may be implemented withnon-volatile memory or a combination of non-volatile and volatile memorytechnologies. The storage (e.g., for storing consumable content and userfiles) can also be implemented with any suitable memory and size (e.g.,2 GBytes of flash memory). The display can be implemented, for example,with a 6-inch E-ink Pearl 800×600 pixel screen with Neonode® zForce®touchscreen, or any other suitable display and touchscreen interfacetechnology. The communications module can be, for instance, any suitable802.11b/g/n WLAN chip or chip set, which allows for connection to alocal network, and so that content can be exchanged between the deviceand a remote system (e.g., content provider or repository depending onthe application of the device). In some specific example embodiments,the device housing that contains all the various componentry measuresabout 6.5″ high by about 5″ wide by about 0.5″ thick, and weighs about6.9 ounces. Any number of suitable form factors can be used, dependingon the target application (e.g., laptop, desktop, mobile phone, etc).The device may be smaller, for example, for smartphone and tabletapplications and larger for smart computer monitor and laptopapplications.

The operating system (OS) module can be implemented with any suitableOS, but in some example embodiments is implemented with Google AndroidOS or Linux OS or Microsoft OS or Apple OS. As will be appreciated inlight of this disclosure, the techniques provided herein can beimplemented on any such platforms. The power management (Power) modulecan be configured as typically done, such as to automatically transitionthe device to a low power consumption or sleep mode after a period ofnon-use. A wake-up from that sleep mode can be achieved, for example, bya physical button press and/or a touch screen swipe or other action. Theuser interface (UI) module can be, for example, based on touchscreentechnology and the various example screen shots and use-case scenariosshown in FIGS. 1a, 1c-d, 3a-c, 4a-d, 5a-b , and 6 a-c, and inconjunction with the delete confirmation mode methodologies demonstratedin FIG. 7, which will be discussed in turn. The audio module can beconfigured to speak or otherwise aurally present, for example, deleteconfirmations, a selected eBook, or other textual content, if preferredby the user. Numerous commercially available text-to-speech modules canbe used, such as Verbose text-to-speech software by NCH Software. Insome example cases, if additional space is desired, for example, tostore digital books or other content and media, storage can be expandedvia a microSD card or other suitable memory expansion technology (e.g.,32 GBytes, or higher). Further note that although a touch screen displayis provided, other embodiments may include a non-touch screen and atouch sensitive surface such as a track pad, or a touch sensitivehousing configured with one or more acoustic sensors, etc.

Client-Server System

FIG. 2b illustrates a block diagram of a communication system configuredin accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. As can beseen, the system generally includes an electronic touch sensitive device(such as the one in FIG. 2a ) that is capable of communicating with aserver via a network/cloud. In this example embodiment, the electronictouch sensitive device may be, for example, an eBook reader, a mobilecell phone, a laptop, a tablet, desktop, or any other touch sensitivecomputing device. The network/cloud may be a public and/or privatenetwork, such as a private local area network operatively coupled to awide area network such as the Internet. In this example embodiment, theserver may be programmed or otherwise configured to receive contentrequests from a user via the touch sensitive device and to respond tothose requests by performing a desired function or providing the userwith requested or otherwise recommended content. Is some suchembodiments, the server is configured to remotely provision a deleteconfirmation mode as provided herein to the touch screen device (e.g.,via JavaScript or other browser based technology). In other embodiments,portions of the delete confirmation methodology are executed on theserver and other portions of the methodology are executed on the device.Numerous server-side/client-side execution schemes can be implemented tofacilitate a delete confirmation mode in accordance with an embodiment,as will be apparent in light of this disclosure.

Delete Confirmation Mode Examples

FIGS. 3a-c collectively illustrate an example delete confirmation modethat can be applied to a touch sensitive display of an electronicdevice, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. Ascan be seen, the touch screen of the device is displaying three foldersand two files, and the user can interact with the touch screen with ahand or other suitable implement. In the particular example shown inFIG. 3a , the user has selected Folder 1, Folder 3, and File 1, asindicated by the dashed line surrounding the selected content. Contentmay be selected in any suitable manner using a stylus, the user'sfinger, or any other selection method. Such optional outlining orhighlighting may assist the user in identifying what data will bedeleted before performing the action. As used herein, highlighting mayrefer, for example, to any visual and/or aural indication of a contentselection, which may or may not include a formatting change. In oneparticular embodiment, the highlighting function may outline a selectedfile, thus indicating that performing the delete confirmation gesturewill delete that particular file.

In some embodiments, once content is selected a delete confirmationgraphic may be displayed to the user, as shown in FIG. 3b . In thisparticular example, the delete confirmation graphic includes a delete UIbutton, as well as a swipe path which prompts the user to slide thedelete button along a given path in order to confirm the deletefunction. In one such embodiment, the user may press the delete buttonwith a finger and swipe that finger along the delete confirmation pathin a single fluid gesture, as shown in FIGS. 3b-c . In this particularexample embodiment, the delete confirmation path is a straight line fromleft to right along the touch screen device, although any number ofdelete confirmation path orientations and shapes may be implemented,including curved delete confirmation paths in some embodiments. In otherembodiments, a delete UI button may be displayed initially without anaccompanying confirmation swipe path, and the delete confirmation pathmay be displayed only after the user has pressed the delete button. Insome embodiments, content deletion may begin when the deleteconfirmation swipe gesture has been fully completed. In some embodimentsa delete UI button need not be displayed or dragged along the deleteconfirmation path. In such an embodiment the user may simply swipe afinger along the delete confirmation path to perform the delete functionwithout dragging a UI feature along the path. In the particularembodiment shown in FIG. 3a , the delete confirmation function isaccompanied by a delete animation showing a crumpled paper going into atrash bin. The various dimensions and features of the deleteconfirmation graphic and delete confirmation path may be userconfigurable (e.g., via a configuration sub-menu) or hard coded, in someembodiments.

FIGS. 4a-d collectively illustrate an example delete confirmation modethat can be applied to a touch sensitive display of an electronicdevice, in accordance with another embodiment of the present invention.As can be seen, the touch screen of the device is displaying thecontents of a folder, which include two files, and the user can interactwith the touch screen with a hand or other suitable implement. In thisparticular embodiment, when the user performs a two-contact tap with twofingers, as shown, an options menu displays a number of commands to theuser including cut, copy, paste, delete, and format. In this example,the user has performed a two-contact tap on File 2 and the options menuis being displayed. Furthermore, in this particular example, the deleteconfirmation mode is configured to display a delete confirmation graphicwhen the delete option of the options menu is selected. As seen in FIG.4b , when the user taps the delete option within the options menu, thedelete confirmation graphic appears prompting the user to drag thedelete UI button along a delete confirmation path. In this example, theuser may perform a swipe gesture along the delete confirmation path toconfirm the delete command, as shown in FIG. 4c . As further shown inthe example in FIG. 4d , File 2 is deleted when the delete confirmationswipe has been fully performed. In addition, the options menuautomatically disappears or is otherwise closed.

FIGS. 5a-b collectively illustrate an example delete confirmation modethat can be applied to a touch sensitive display of an electronic devicecoupled with a keyboard, in accordance with an embodiment of the presentinvention. As can be seen, the touch screen of the device is displayingthe contents of Folder 1, which include three files, and the user caninteract with the touch screen using a hand or other suitable implement.In addition, the electronic device is wirelessly connected with akeyboard in this example embodiment. In this example, the user hasselected File 2 within Folder 1, as indicated by the dashed linesurrounding File 2. Content may be selected in any suitable manner usinga stylus, the user's finger, or any other selection method. Suchoptional outlining or highlighting may assist the user in identifyingwhat data will be deleted before performing the delete action. In thisexample, after selecting File 2, the user presses the delete button ofthe physical keyboard that is connected to the electronic touchsensitive device.

In this particular example the delete confirmation mode is configured todisplay a delete confirmation pop-up window when a delete command isreceived. As shown in FIG. 5b , the delete confirmation pop-up windowincludes a delete UI button, as well as a swipe path which prompts theuser to slide the delete button along a given path in order to confirmthe delete function. Another embodiment may only include the swipe path.Performing a swipe gesture with the user's finger or other implementwill successfully delete File 2. If the user does not wish to confirmthe delete command, the user may close the window using the “X” UIgraphic at the top corner of the delete confirmation pop-up window, insome embodiments. In other embodiments, the delete confirmation pop-upwindow may include a timer that may abandon the delete command after acertain period of time (e.g., five seconds) if the delete confirmationswipe gesture is not performed. In some such embodiments, the time limitfor confirming the delete command may be user configurable (e.g., usinga configuration sub-menu like the one shown in FIG. 1d ), or hard coded.

FIGS. 6a-c collectively illustrate an example delete confirmation modethat can be applied to a touch sensitive display of an electronicdevice, in accordance with another embodiment of the present invention.As can be seen, the touch screen of the device is displaying a varietyof consumable content or files labeled with numbers or letters in thisparticular example. Content may be selected in any suitable manner usinga stylus or other implement, the user's finger, or any other selectionmethod. In this example, the user has selected the content labeled A andG, and the selected content is highlighted with a bold outline and acheck mark on the content icons. Such optional outlining or highlightingmay assist the user in identifying what data will be deleted beforeperforming the delete action. In some embodiments, once content has beenselected, a delete UI push-button may appear on the touch screen, asshown in FIG. 6a . In other embodiments, the delete UI push-button maybe displayed before content selection, or the delete command may beactivated through an options menu or some other appropriate user inputtechnique.

In one example embodiment, once the user has tapped the delete button, adelete confirmation graphic may be displayed which prompts the user toperform a delete confirmation swipe gesture in order to confirm thedelete command, as shown in FIG. 6b . In this particular example, thedelete confirmation swipe gesture is a left-to-right swipe gestureperformed along a shaded delete confirmation path. In some embodiments,once the user has performed the initial delete command but before thedelete confirmation swipe gesture has been performed, the highlightingof the selected content may change, thus showing the content with adiminished appearance (partially shaded, shaded in a lighter color ortone, or appearing partially transparent). In this particular example,the highlighting of content A and G changes to a lighter shade once thedelete confirmation mode is activated. Note that in some embodiments, ifthe user presses the delete UI push-button, the selected content maystill diminish in appearance before the user either begins performingthe delete confirmation swipe gesture or abandons the deleteconfirmation mode. In some embodiments, the delete confirmation mode maybe abandoned by tapping a portion of the screen not associated with thedelete confirmation graphic, or pressing the home button (FIG. 1a ). Insuch cases, once the delete confirmation mode has been abandoned theselected content may return to its original highlighted appearance. Insome embodiments, the device may begin deleting selected content oncethe user begins performing the delete confirmation gesture, while inother embodiments the content deletion may begin only after the deleteconfirmation gesture has been completed. As can be seen in the exampleshown in FIG. 6c , once the delete confirmation swipe gesture has beencompleted, the selected files are deleted and the remaining content maybe rearranged on the screen. Other embodiments may leave files in theiroriginal location to show spaces associated with the deleted content.

In another embodiment, the degree to which the items being deleted arediminished in appearance may vary as the user performs the deleteconfirmation swipe gesture or retraces that swipe gesture. For example,the delete confirmation graphic may include a slider and the items to bedeleted may increasingly fade-away as the user swipes the slider. Insuch an example, when the user releases the slider at the end of itstrack or delete confirmation path, the items may already be effectivelygone. If, however, instead of releasing the slider the user has a changeof mind and begins to retrace the swipe gesture back to the originalposition, the items may gradually reappear.

Methodology

FIG. 7 illustrates a method for providing a swipe-based deleteconfirmation mode in an electronic touch screen device, in accordancewith an embodiment of the present invention. This example methodologymay be implemented, for instance, by the UI module of the example touchscreen device shown in FIG. 2a , or the example touch screen deviceshown in FIG. 2b (e.g., with the UI provisioned to the client by theserver). To this end, the UI can be implemented in software, hardware,firmware, or any combination thereof, as will be appreciated in light ofthis disclosure.

As can be seen, the method generally includes sensing a user's input bya touch screen display. As soon as the user begins to swipe, drag orotherwise move a contact point, the UI code (and/or hardware) can assumea swipe gesture has been engaged and track the path of the contact pointwith respect to any fixed point within the touch screen until the userstops engaging the touch screen surface. The release point can also becaptured by the UI as it may be used to commit the action started whenthe user pressed on the touch sensitive screen. In a similar fashion, ifthe user releases hold without moving the contact point, a tap or pressor press-and-hold command may be assumed depending on the amount of timethe user was continually pressing on the touch sensitive screen. Thesemain detections can be used in various ways to implement UIfunctionality, including a delete confirmation mode as variouslydescribed herein, as will be appreciated in light of this disclosure.

In this example case, the method includes determining 701 that contenton the touch sensitive device is selected. As described above, contentmay be selected in any suitable manner using a stylus, the user'sfinger, or any other selection method. Once it has been determined thatcontent is selected, the method may continue with determining 702whether a delete command has been received by the device. In someembodiments, the delete command may be received through pressing thedelete button of a keyboard attached to the device, pressing the deletebutton of a virtual keyboard displayed on the touch screen device,selecting the delete function from an options menu, pressing a UI deletebutton displayed on the device, or any other suitable user input means.If no delete command is received, any user input may be reviewed 703 forsome other request or command. If a delete command is received, themethod may continue with determining 704 whether the delete confirmationmode is enabled. In some embodiments the delete confirmation mode may beenabled only for delete commands received through the touch screendevice, or only for those received through a real or virtual keyboard.In still other embodiments, the delete confirmation mode may be enabledon a content or application specific basis. In such an embodiment, thedelete confirmation mode may be enabled when deleting entire files ordocuments, and not enabled when merely deleting content within a file ordocument. Many other configuration options for the delete confirmationmode will be apparent in light of this disclosure. As previouslyexplained, the delete confirmation mode may be always enabled andconfigured from the factory in some embodiments, while other embodimentsmay be configured and/or enabled by the user. To this end, thedetermination at 704 ensures that the delete confirmation mode is apossible option for the selected content. If the delete confirmationmode is not enabled, the method may continue with deleting 705 theselected content.

If the delete confirmation mode is enabled, the method may continue withdisplaying 706 a delete confirmation gesture prompt. In someembodiments, the delete confirmation prompt may be part of a deleteconfirmation graphic displayed on the touch sensitive screen. In somesuch embodiments the delete confirmation graphic may include a UI deletebutton and a delete confirmation swipe path, or just a swipe path. Inother embodiments, the confirmation gesture prompt may be displayed tothe user through a delete confirmation pop-up window, as described inreference to FIG. 5b . Once the delete confirmation gesture prompt isdisplayed, the method may continue with determining 707 whether a deleteconfirmation gesture is detected. In some embodiments, the deleteconfirmation gesture may be a swipe motion along a delete confirmationpath and may be performed with the user's finger, a stylus, or any othersuitable implement. If the delete confirmation gesture is not detected,the method may continue with abandoning 708 the delete function. In someembodiments, the delete function may be abandoned if the deleteconfirmation gesture is not detected within a specified period of time(e.g., after the delete confirmation gesture prompt is displayed forfive seconds), and such a time period may be hard coded or userconfigurable. In other embodiments, the delete function may be abandonedif the delete confirmation gesture is not properly performed (e.g., ifthe user does not properly trace a finger along a delete confirmationpath). In still other embodiments, the delete function may be abandonedby closing the delete confirmation pop-up window instead of performingthe delete confirmation swipe gesture. If, however, the deleteconfirmation gesture is detected 707, the method may continue withdeleting 705 the selected content.

Numerous variations and configurations will be apparent in light of thisdisclosure. For example, one example embodiment provides a deviceincluding a touch screen display for displaying content to a user andallowing user input. The device also includes a user interface includinga swipe-based delete confirmation mode that can be activated in responseto a delete command, wherein the delete confirmation mode is configuredto delete selected content in response to a delete confirmation swipegesture. In some cases, the delete confirmation mode is furtherconfigured to ignore the delete command if a delete confirmation swipegesture is not detected within a specified period of time. In somecases, the delete confirmation mode is further configured to causedisplay of a delete confirmation pop-up window to the user, the deleteconfirmation pop-up window prompting the user to perform the deleteconfirmation swipe gesture. In some such cases, the delete confirmationmode is further configured to abandon the delete command in response tothe user closing the delete confirmation pop-up window. In some cases,the delete confirmation swipe gesture includes dragging a UI controlfeature along a delete confirmation swipe path. In some cases, thedelete confirmation swipe gesture is performed along a deleteconfirmation swipe path that is graphically displayed and includes aprompt. In some cases, the delete confirmation mode is furtherconfigured to provide a diminished view of the selected content once adelete operation has been initiated but prior to completing a deleteconfirmation swipe gesture. In some cases, the delete command and thedelete confirmation swipe gesture are combined into a single touchscreen gesture. In some cases, the delete confirmation mode is furtherconfigured to display an animation as content is deleted, the animationshowing content being discarded. In some cases, the selected content hasa diminished appearance while the delete confirmation mode is activated,and a swipe path that the delete confirmation swipe gesture must followis displayed, the path being annotated with a directional prompt.

Another example embodiment of the present invention provides a mobilecomputing system including a processor and a touch screen display fordisplaying content to a user and allowing user input. The system alsoincludes a user interface executable on the processor and including aswipe-based delete confirmation mode that can be activated in responseto a delete command via the touch screen display, wherein the deleteconfirmation mode is configured to display a swipe path and to deleteselected content in response to a delete confirmation swipe gestureperformed along the swipe path. In some cases, the delete confirmationmode is configured to ignore the delete command if a delete confirmationswipe gesture is not performed.

Another example embodiment of the present invention provides a computerprogram product including a plurality of instructions non-transientlyencoded thereon to facilitate operation of an electronic deviceaccording to a process. The computer program product may include one ormore computer readable mediums such as, for example, a hard drive,compact disk, memory stick, server, cache memory, register memory,random access memory, read only memory, flash memory, or any suitablenon-transitory memory that is encoded with instructions that can beexecuted by one or more processors, or a plurality or combination ofsuch memories. In this example embodiment, the process is configured toreceive at the electronic device a delete command. The process is alsoconfigured to display on the electronic device a delete confirmationswipe gesture prompt, and to delete selected content on the electronicdevice in response to a delete confirmation swipe gesture. In somecases, the process is further configured to ignore the delete command ifthe delete confirmation gesture is not detected within a specifiedperiod of time. In some cases, the delete confirmation swipe gestureprompt includes a delete confirmation pop-up window, the deleteconfirmation pop-up window prompting the user to perform the deleteconfirmation swipe gesture. In some cases, the process is furtherconfigured to ignore the delete command if the delete confirmationpop-up window is closed by the user. In some cases, an animation isdisplayed as selected content is deleted, the animation showing contentbeing discarded. In some cases, the delete command and the deleteconfirmation gesture are combined into a single touch screen gesture. Insome cases, the delete confirmation swipe gesture includes a sweepingdrag gesture performed along a displayed delete confirmation swipe path.In some cases, the selected content has a diminished appearance afterthe delete command has been received and before the delete confirmationswipe gesture has been completed.

The foregoing description of the embodiments of the invention has beenpresented for the purposes of illustration and description. It is notintended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention to the precise formdisclosed. Many modifications and variations are possible in light ofthis disclosure. It is intended that the scope of the invention belimited not by this detailed description, but rather by the claimsappended hereto.

What is claimed is:
 1. A computing device, comprising: a processor; atouch screen display for displaying content to a user and allowing userinput; and a user interface executable on the processor and including aswipe-based delete confirmation mode that is activated in response to adelete command received via the touch screen display, the delete commandbeing directed to one or more previously selected content items, whereinthe delete confirmation mode is configured to: graphically display aswipe path that includes a directional prompt to confirm deletion, andto delete the one or more selected content items in response to a deleteconfirmation swipe gesture performed along the swipe path, wherein theone or more selected content items to be deleted transition to aninitial diminished appearance in response to the delete confirmationmode being activated, and the initial diminished appearance furtherincreasingly fades away so as to become further diminished as the swipegesture progresses along the swipe path in a direction indicated by thedirectional prompt, and wherein the selected content increasinglyreappears so as to visually transition back toward the initialdiminished appearance if the swipe gesture progresses back along theswipe path in a direction opposite the direction indicated by thedirectional prompt; and abandon the delete command if an input isreceived via the touch screen outside the swipe path prior to completionof the swipe gesture.
 2. The device of claim 1 wherein the deleteconfirmation mode is further configured to cause display of a deleteconfirmation pop-up window to the user, the delete confirmation pop-upwindow including the swipe path and directional prompt.
 3. The device ofclaim 2 wherein the delete confirmation mode is further configured toabandon the delete command in response to the user closing the deleteconfirmation pop-up window.
 4. The device of claim 1 wherein the deleteconfirmation swipe gesture comprises dragging a UI control feature alongthe swipe path.
 5. The device of claim 1 wherein the delete command andthe delete confirmation swipe gesture are combined into a singlecontinuous touch screen gesture, such that contact with the touch screenis continuous during the entire single continuous gesture.
 6. The deviceof claim 1 wherein the delete confirmation mode is further configured todisplay an animation as content is deleted, the animation showingcontent being discarded.
 7. The device of claim 1 wherein the deletecommand and the delete confirmation swipe gesture are separate gestures.8. The device of claim 1 wherein the device is a tablet computer or asmartphone.
 9. A computer program product comprising a plurality ofinstructions encoded on one or more non-transitory machine readablemediums that when executed by one or more processor cause a deleteconfirmation process to be carried out, the process comprising: activatea swipe-based delete confirmation mode in response to a delete commandreceived via a touch screen display, the delete command being directedto one or more previously selected content items, wherein the deleteconfirmation mode is configured to: graphically display a swipe paththat includes a directional prompt to confirm deletion, and to deletethe one or more selected content items in response to a deleteconfirmation swipe gesture performed along the swipe path, wherein theone or more selected content items to be deleted transition to aninitial diminished appearance in response to the delete confirmationmode being activated, and the initial diminished appearance furtherincreasingly fades away so as to become further diminished as the swipegesture progresses along the swipe path in a direction indicated by thedirectional prompt, and wherein the selected content increasinglyreappears so as to visually transition back toward the initialdiminished appearance if the swipe gesture progresses back along theswipe path in a direction opposite the direction indicated by thedirectional prompt; and abandon the delete command if an input isreceived via the touch screen outside the swipe path prior to completionof the swipe gesture.
 10. The computer program product of claim 9wherein the delete confirmation mode is further configured to causedisplay of a delete confirmation pop-up window to the user, the deleteconfirmation pop-up window including the swipe path and directionalprompt.
 11. The computer program product of claim 10 wherein the deleteconfirmation mode is further configured to abandon the delete command inresponse to the user closing the delete confirmation pop-up window. 12.The computer program product of claim 9 wherein the delete confirmationswipe gesture comprises dragging a UI control feature along the swipepath.
 13. The computer program product of claim 9 wherein the deletecommand and the delete confirmation swipe gesture are combined into asingle continuous touch screen gesture, such that contact with the touchscreen is continuous during the entire single continuous gesture. 14.The computer program product of claim 9 wherein the delete command andthe delete confirmation swipe gesture are separate gestures.
 15. Thecomputer program product of claim 9 wherein the delete confirmation modeis further configured to display an animation as content is deleted, theanimation showing content being discarded.
 16. A computer systemcomprising the computer program product of claim 9 and the one or moreprocessors.
 17. A mobile computing device, comprising: a processor; atouch screen display for displaying content to a user and allowing userinput; and a user interface executable on the processor and including aswipe-based delete confirmation mode that is activated in response to adelete command received via the touch screen display, the delete commandbeing directed to one or more previously selected content items, whereinthe previously selected content items become highlighted upon selection,and wherein the delete confirmation mode is configured to: graphicallydisplay a swipe path that includes a directional prompt to confirmdeletion, and to delete the one or more selected content items inresponse to a delete confirmation swipe gesture performed along theswipe path, wherein the one or more selected content items to be deletedtransition from being highlighted to an initial diminished appearance inresponse to the delete confirmation mode being activated, and theinitial diminished appearance further increasingly fades away so as tobecome further diminished as the swipe gesture progresses along theswipe path in a direction indicated by the directional prompt, andwherein the selected content increasingly reappears so as to visuallytransition back toward the initial diminished appearance if the swipegesture progresses back along the swipe path in a direction opposite thedirection indicated by the directional prompt; and abandon the deletecommand if a non-confirming input is received via the touch screenoutside the swipe path prior to completion of the swipe gesture, whereinthe one or more selected content items to be deleted transition from theinitial diminished appearance back to being highlighted in response tothe non-confirming input.
 18. The device of claim 17 wherein the deleteconfirmation mode is further configured to cause display of a deleteconfirmation pop-up window to the user, the delete confirmation pop-upwindow including the swipe path and directional prompt, wherein thedelete confirmation mode is further configured to abandon the deletecommand in response to the user closing the delete confirmation pop-upwindow.
 19. The device of claim 17 wherein the delete command and thedelete confirmation swipe gesture are combined into a single continuoustouch screen gesture, such that contact with the touch screen iscontinuous during the entire single continuous gesture.
 20. The deviceof claim 17 wherein the delete command and the delete confirmation swipegesture are separate gestures.